Social Work PGDip
This intensive programme is for graduates from any discipline wishing to train and qualify as social workers.
Through a combination of academic and professional modules, you will focus on both the social science knowledge base of social work, and on developing your practice-relevant knowledge, skills and values through 200 days of practical learning.
Taught by qualified social workers with a range of practice specialisms and research interests, this course offers exciting opportunities to learn alongside students from related professional disciplines including occupational therapy, teaching, nursing and medicine, mirroring the interprofessional nature of social work practice.
Users of social work services, carers and experienced practitioners are also actively involved in the course and the delivery of teaching sessions.
The postgraduate diploma (PGDip) can be taken as an alternative and shorter route to obtaining a postgraduate social work qualification with students learning alongside MSc students in all except the dissertation module. It is also available as an early exit award to those registered on the MSc who opt not to take the dissertation module but meet all other requirements of the PGDip.
The MSc and PGDip are both approved by Social Work England, the regulatory body for Social Workers in England. All students will need to demonstrate Social Work England's Professional Standards within their practice, alongside the expectations specified by the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) held by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).
Campus Information
Falmer campus
Our Falmer campus is on the edge of the South Downs National Park, just four miles from Brighton seafront. With around 7,000 students based here, we've invested £60 million in this campus in the last ten years, equipping it with outstanding modern facilities.
Intakes
- Sep
Application Processing Time in Days: 10
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
The Careers team is here to support you from your first day at the university.
We can help you decide what career is right for you, develop the skills you will need to follow it, and get a job when you finish your studies.
We can also offer support and advice about placements, volunteering, mentoring and business startup.
The Careers team are offering their full range of services, including one-to-one appointments remotely. These mainly take place via the Microsoft Teams app If you are having any issues with setting up Microsoft Teams please get in touch.
Work and further study
Vacancy service
Make the most of our vacancy service, social media, paper and media resources.
Careers advice
Decide what career is right for you. Help with CVs, applications and interviews.
Resources for finding a job
Find graduate jobs, part-time work, and location-specific work.
Meet employers
Meet employers at careers fairs and events organised throughout the year.
Postgraduate study
For students considering postgraduate study at Masters level or higher.
PSW Opportunity
- 2 Years PSW is applicable after completing a minimum duration of 9 months course (like- Undergraduate, Postgraduate Level)
- 3 Years PSW is applicable after completing PhD level courses.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Applications for the MSc are made through UCAS. Applications for the PGDip can be made direct to the university on the link provided at the top of this page.
Degree and experience
An honours degree in any subject, normally with a minimum of upper second class honours.
A satisfactory academic reference and/or transcript, indicating ability to study at level 7.
Understanding of, and preparedness for, social care and social work practice.
Experience of providing social or caring services from paid or voluntary work.
Applications from candidates who do not fulfil the admissions criteria of a second class honours degree may be considered exceptionally in the shortlisting process in light of the content of their application as a whole. Should this occur, they must provide a transcript of their marks/grades on their first degree and submit written work as requested by the admissions tutor.
GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
Maths and English language, or recognised and certified equivalences. Functional Skills, level 2 in English and maths, are acceptable.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, no element below 6.5.
Other
To fulfil professional requirements, you must provide full educational, employment and study history on the application form (including details of any disciplinary record).
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview.
They will also need to confirm before their interview or offer that they can use basic IT facilities (eg word processing software, internet browsers and email) and will be asked to specify how these skills have been obtained.
The HCPC regulate both the profession and the courses through which it is taught, and you are therefore required to conduct yourself in line with their guidance on conduct and ethics.
Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3.
Applicants for the PGDip with sufficient experience and who are working in a relevant role which enables them to provide evidence that meets the first placement assessment criteria may be able submit that evidence in place of undertaking the first placement.
If we make you an offer
Once you've accepted your offer, to fulfil professional requirements, you will be expected to provide evidence of the following:
satisfactory DBS disclosure
satisfactory health declaration/clearance.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Post Graduate Diploma or Certificate
- Duration: 01 Year 06 Month
-
Total Tuition Fee:
13464 GBP
Average Cost of Living: 13632 GBP /year
Application Fee: N/A